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PRAL Baton Rouge Awards

2026 PRAL BATON ROUGE RED STICK AWARDS

Click here to view the 2026 Red Stick Awards program.

PRAL INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Each year, PRAL-Baton Rouge recognizes four individuals for their work in the field nominated by their peers. Self-nominations are also encouraged. Nominations can be emailed to Erin Fulbright-Coleman at [email protected].

Click on the links below to learn the criteria for each award and to view past winners. 


RED STICK AWARDS
The Red Stick Awards competition is open to current PRAL-Baton Rouge members, including a separate student category. Entries must have been implemented between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2025. Research, planning and evaluation of the project may pre-date or extend beyond this period, but the “bulk” of the implementation should have occurred during the 2025 window.

Members can enter as many categories as desired. Still, it is important to follow the steps outlined below and any specifics given for the selected categories in the Call for Entries to ensure each entry is properly submitted.

Sections for submission include:

  • Research (500 words maximum) – summarize the situation and/or provide information gathered through formal and informal research methods. Provide the judges with background information about your organization/client and the impetus for the project.

  • Planning (250 words maximum) – discuss the overall strategy and identify goals, objectives, key publics, and budget. How were the objectives specific, measurable, and audience-specific? If this was a pro bono project, give a value for hours donated.

  • Implementation (500 words maximum) – describe your work and discuss the tactics used to achieve the stated objectives. Include a timeline and budget information. Demonstrate how your efforts were creative, exemplary, or otherwise worthy of recognition.

  • Evaluation (250 words maximum) – identify methods used to evaluate the success of the project during and after. Did the project achieve its objectives? If the project had limitations, how were they overcome? Did the project stay within its timeline and budget?

Attached supporting material, including creative material, printed or published pieces, photographs, presentations, and videos should be included and properly identified. 

View the full JUDGING RUBRIC with all entry criteria. 


ENTRY FEES
Entry fees are $55 per entry for professional members and $30 per entry for students and premier professional members (up to five at a discounted rate). Entry fees will not be refunded. All entries received without payment will not be eligible for judging.


RED STICK AWARD CATEGORIES

Public Relations Campaigns

Primarily for external audiences, can also include internal components. Entries will be heavily judged on a four-part PR process, including research, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

  • 1A: Long-Term Campaigns (3 months or more)
  • 1B: Short-Term Campaigns (3 months or less)

Internal Communications Campaigns
For internal audiences ONLY

  • 2A: Long-Term Campaigns (3 months or more)
  • 2B: Short-Term Campaigns (3 months or less)

Writing for External Audiences

  • 3A: Press Releases (Entries should be supported by “placements” that target key audiences, including news coverage, re-prints and responses.)
  • 3B: Blogs - Single Post
  • 3C: Blogs - Series
  • 3D: Feature Writing (Written for publications and materials other than blogs and press releases)

Materials

  • 4A: Publications
  • 4B: Newsletters (online and/or print)
  • 4C: Collateral Material (flyers, brochures, etc.)

Special Events

  • 5A: Special Events with budget greater than $2,500
  • 5B: Special Events with budget less than $2,500

Digital

  • 6A: Social Media - Single Post
  • 6B: Social Media - Campaign/Strategy Across Platforms
  • 6C: Website (for re-designs or other new web initiatives)
  • 6D: Audio/Visual Production

Media Relations

  • 7A: Reactive Media Relations 
  • 7B: Proactive Media Relations (not part of a larger campaign)

Lagniappe
Any piece of work that does not fit into one of the categories above

  • 8A: Lagniappe

Student

  • 9A: Student-led PR Campaign
  • 9B: Student Lagniappe Project